Woman to receive honourary degree for 'bravery'

Laurentian University is presenting an honourary degree to a woman from Pakistan who stood up to the men who attacked her.

Mukhtar (Mai) Bibi was raped in her village, as punishment for indiscretions allegedly committed by her brother, according to a press release from the university.

In Pakistan, it is customary that victims of rape to take their own life rather than shaming their family. In this instance, however, Bibi found the courage to file a criminal complaint against the perpetrators, an act of bravery unheard of in one of the world’s most adverse climates for women.

In an unprecedented case, her attackers were sentenced to death by the Pakistani government, and, in a historic settlement, she was awarded the equivalent of $8,500 US in compensation money. With this money, Bibi opened a school for girls in an effort to ensure that future generations would not suffer, as she had, from illiteracy. A second school was also opened for boys.

Bibi considers herself an agent for change and a beacon of hope for oppressed women around the world, stated the press release.

In 2005, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah gold medal for bravery and courage by the Pakistani government and was named Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine. In 2006, Time magazine listed her among the 100 most influential people in the world, and she was also awarded the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe.

Laurentian University is honouring Mukhtar (Mai) Bibi for her passion of knowledge and for educating the next generation of children in Pakistan on social rights as well as teaching them societal justice, the press release stated.

The public is invited to attend Bibi's book signing at Chapters Oct. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., as well as a tea at the Market Square from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m to raise funds for her schools in Pakistan.